When they see His House – that magnificent sight For which the hearts of all creatures are set alight – It seems they’ve never felt tired before, For their discomfort and hardship is no more. Now the eye of the Lover drowns in its streams, It sees through its tears the goal of its dreams; Now for Allah, how many tears are issued, Each one being followed by a multitude? When the eye perceives the House, its darkness clears, And from the sorrowful heart, pain disappears; Vision cannot encompass this beautiful sight: Each glance returns with greater delight! No wonder at this, for when the Merciful preferred The House for Himself, it became most honoured. He clothed it in Majesty, a magnificent garment; Embroidered it with Beauty, a wonderful ornament! The hearts all love the House therefore, Awed and humbled, in respect and honour.

When they see His House – that magnificent sight For which the hearts of all creatures are set alight – It seems they’ve never felt tired before, For their discomfort and hardship is no more. Now the eye of the Lover drowns in…

Q: O respected Sheikh! Would you please tell me the meaning of Allah’s saying: But whosoever hastens to leave in two days, there is no sin on him and whosoever stays on, there is no sin on him?

A: This Glorious Ayah (Qur’anic verse) relates to the Days of Tashriq (11th, 12th and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah), Al-Nafr Al-Awwal (leaving Mina after throwing the stones in the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah), and Al-Nafr Al-Thani (leaving Mina after stoning on the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah). Allah (Glorified be He) says: And remember Allâh during the appointed Days. i.e. the Days of Tashriq which does not include the Day of `Eid-ul-Adha (the Festival of the Sacrifice). And remember Allâh during the appointed Days. The Day of `Eid-ul-Adha is the tenth day of Dhul-Hijjah. Muslims are commanded to pronounce Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah) during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah and the appointed Days of Tashriq. Dhikr is thus ordained during all the thirteen days; starting from the 1st day of Dhul-Hijjah to the 13th day. They are all days of Dhikr, Takbir (saying: “Allahu Akbar [Allah is the Greatest]”), and Tahlil (saying: “La ilaha illa Allah [There is no god except Allah]”). It is ordained that Muslims pronounce Takbir and Tahlil during these thirteen days at all times and wherever they may be. Allah (Exalted be He) says: And remember Allâh during the appointed Days. But whosoever hastens to leave in two days i.e. there is no sin on whosoever leaves on the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah, …and whosoever stays on i.e. for the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah …there is no sin on him, if his aim is to do good and obey Allâh (fear Him), and know that you will surely be gathered unto Him. Allah (Glorified be He) reminds pilgrims that as they gather in `Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Mina; He (Exalted be He) will assemble them all in the Day of Resurrection in a large gathering as He (Exalted be He) says: (And remember) the Day when He will gather you (all) on the Day of Gathering, — that will be the Day of mutual loss and gain (i.e. loss for the disbelievers as they will enter the Hell-fire and gain for the believers as they will enter Paradise). All people will be gathered on the Day of Resurrection and reckoned for their deeds.

If their deeds are good, they will be rewarded and vice versa. The large gathering at Mina, `Arafat, and Muzdalifah reminds reflective people of the Day of Resurrection so that they may prepare for this great Day. However, some pilgrims may be in need to hasten and leave Mina on the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah and some may not. Whoever hastens and leaves Mina on the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah after throwing the stones after Zawal (midday), there is no blame on them. Whoever leaves Mina on the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah after throwing the stones after Zawal (midday), there is no blame on them and it is best as this was done by the Prophet (peace be upon him). Thus it is optional either to leave Mina on the 12th or the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah. Pilgrims then proceed to Makkah where they are to perform Tawaf-ul-Wada` (circumambulation of the Ka`bah on leaving Makkah) if they are leaving or they may stay in Makkah for some days.

A pilgrim must perform Tawaf-ul-Wada` whenever they intend to depart. It should be clear that the Day of `Eid-ul-Adha is not one of the Days of Tashriq as some people wrongly think; they leave Mina on the 11th of Dhul-Hijjah and say that this is the second Day of Tashriq. This is a big mistake for the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Days of Mina are three. Whosoever hastens to leave in two days, there is no sin on them and whosoever stays on, there is no sin on them. i.e. the 11th, the 12th, and the 13th Days of Dhul-Hijjah.